A blog about the East Bay real estate scene, particularly in Piedmont, CA, of interest to buyers, sellers, and residents alike.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Holiday Weekend Update

Three things:

--Catch Carolyn Said's insightful piece in the Chron today. In addition to the nuanced insights in her story, I'd add one that came up in our recent successful sale of 225 Hillside: We had several very serious buyers right off the bat, at the original price. But each family had bought their current house in their 30s at the top of the market, and then made requisite improvements. They had plenty of equity and income--buying the house was not the issue. They were now in their mid-40s and ready to buy the "big" house. But leaving $500-$700,000 (x% of a big # is a big #) on the table when they sold their old home was an issue.

--If you're thinking about a move to something in the $650,000 range, take a peek at my colleague Carla Buffington's listing on Colton in Montclair. Perfect for boomers--a level-in mid-century classic with the master and a second bedroom or office on the main level, the Golden Gate view you've always secretly wanted, and a nicely renovated private space for guests with a full bath outside and down below. Close to Sibley so great for dog-owners; in a quiet and park-like area of Montclair yet 2 minutes from latte, groceries and casual carpool. Definitely displays that classic mid-century space efficiency ("a place for everything and everything in its place"), but what a great price! Open Sunday afternoon.

--The Camp Augusta fundraiser is coming up in a couple of weeks (9/15)--this year the focus is replacing the kitchen. (Read Randy's cogent case for your donation at that link--man, he's a great camp director!) The Voorhis family is kicking in $150,000 (wow!) if we match it. So many of our kids got their cherished camp experiences up at Lake Vera. Take a moment, read Randy's short piece and go ahead and push that donate button. And if you'd like to attend the event at the Claremont, contact my colleague Julie Gardner, a board member, at jgardner@grubbco.com. Bid for a long weekend at our Inverness house--it's on the auction list. In fact, if you win, I'll extend the stay for a whole week!

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe To

Welcome home to Piedmont!

This blog covers issues related to real estate and your home in Piedmont, California. We cover the local market, renovation ideas (particularly those of a green nature), some gardening material, local housing/taxation/development debates, what buyers and sellers want, and national trends.

Lots of good info and insight; no cattiness.

The blog includes my e-newsletter articles dating back to 2006, and blog posts while ActiveRain.Com was my blog platform. Feel free to subscribe to the blog here (go to the top of the page), or email me (Kennedy@MaureenKennedy.net) and I'll add you to my quarterly e-newsletter list. And don't forget to forward this link to your friends and colleagues thinking about moving to town, or ready to move on to the next stage of their lives. I always have time for your referrals!

I look forward to your comments, suggestions, and new information you think Piedmonters, and those thinking about moving to town, should know.

About Me

My job is to inform, listen, analyze, market, and above all close your transaction promptly and at a price with which you are comfortable. I grew up in the Washington, DC area and graduated from Mount Holyoke College and the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. After working on housing and tax issues in Virginia, Alaska, and in the halls of Congress, I managed the nation's single-family and multi-family rural housing loan programs and advised HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros on housing and urban policy as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy. I’m a licensed broker, serve on the Advisory Board of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing (based in Dallas), and have earned designations from e-Pro, EcoBroker, the National Trust's architectural program, and the NAR’s At Home with Diversity program. I'm a member of the Council of Residential Specialists, and of course the National, California and Oakland Associations of Realtors.
No other agent or broker practicing in Piedmont has such a strong professional background.